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Biomedical subjects

A Jurado

Publications and source records attributed to A Jurado.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[In vitro activity of linezolid, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, clindamycin and rifampin, alone and in combination, against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis].

Information about the in vitro effect of combinations of anti-staphylococcal agents on staphylococci is scarce. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of linezolid, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, clindamycin and rifampin, alone or in combination, against Staphylococcus spp. Two Staphylococcus aureus and two Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from blood cultures were studied using the killing curve method. The combinations analyzed were linezolid+moxifloxacin, linezolid+levofloxacin, linezolid+clindamycin, linezolid+rifampin, moxifloxacin+rifampin, moxifloxacin+clindamycin, levofloxacin+rifampin and levofloxacin+clindamycin. The following concentrations (mg/l) were used: 8 and 16 for linezolid, 2 for moxifloxacin, 3 for levofloxacin, 2 for clindamycin and 2 and 5 for rifampin. The activity was considered synergistic when a reduction in growth of at least 2 log(10) was produced with the combination in comparison to the most active antibiotic alone; antagonistic when a growth of at least 2 log(10) was produced with the combination in comparison to the most active antibiotic alone; and indifferent if the variation was less than 1 log(10). Linezolid and clindamycin were bacteriostatic, while moxifloxacin and levofloxacin were bactericidal. Rifampin was bacteriostatic against S. aureus and bactericidal against S. epidermidis. Linezolid and clindamycin reduced the bactericidal activity of levofloxacin and moxifloxacin, however an antagonistic effect was only observed against S. aureus. Other combinations of linezolid, rifampin, clindamycin, levofloxacin or moxifloxacin were indifferent. Linezolid and clindamycin antagonize the bactericidal activity of fluorquinolones against staphylococci. There was no difference between any other combinations against either S. aureus or S. epidermidis.

Acetamides↗

[Evaluation of the Phoenix system for identifying and determining the susceptibility of clinical isolates. Comparative study with the Microscan system].

The Phoenix system (BD Diagnostic Systems), a rapid ID/AST system, was compared with the MicroScan WalkAway-40 system for accuracy of identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test results. The 327 bacterial isolates, were comprised of 191 Gram-negative bacilli (187 Enterobacteriaceae and 4 Aeromonas spp.) and 136 Gram-positive cocci (27 Staphylococcus aureus, 53 coagulase-negative staphylococci, 45 enterococci and 11 beta haemolytic streptococci). The overall rate of agreement between the two systems for species level identification was 95.8% and 96.3% for Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci, respectively. Enterococcus and Streptococcus species both achieved a 100% rate of species level agreement. The genus level agreement was >99% overall. Arbitration of the 8 Gram-negative bacilli disagreements resolved with 7 in agreement with the Phoenix identification. For the 5 Gram-positive cocci disagreements, 3 resolved in agreement with Phoenix. Overall, 3688 antimicrobial/organism combinations were evaluated in both systems. For Gram-negative isolates, the rate of essential agreement for the MICs was 98.5%, while the categorical agreement rate was 95.9%. Arbitration of 13 Gram-negative disagreements resolved with 11 in agreement with the Phoenix system. For Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. isolates, the essential agreement rates were 96.4% and 99% respectively. Categorical agreement rates for both genera were 94.7% and 96.1%, respectively. Arbitration of 5 staphylococci disagreements resolved with 2 in agreement with Phoenix system. Our results show that the Phoenix system is a rapid and reliable system for both identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of common clinical isolates.

Drug Resistance, Bacterial↗

Trends in frequency and in vitro susceptibilities to antifungal agents, including voriconazole and anidulafungin, of Candida bloodstream isolates. Results from a six-year study (1996-2001).

The frequency of isolation and antifungal susceptibility patterns to established and two new antifungal agents were determined for 218 Candida spp isolates causing bloodstream infection from 1996 to 2001. Overall, 41.7% of the candidemias were due to C. albicans, followed by C. parapsilosis (22%), C. tropicalis (16.1%), C. glabrata (11.9%), C. krusei (6%) and miscellaneous Candida spp (2.3%). Isolates of C. albicans C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis (80% of isolates) were highly susceptible to fluconazole (94 to 100% at </= 8 microg/ml) and voriconazole (97 to 100% at </= 1 microg/ml). By comparison with the newer agents itraconazole was less active (77 to 97% at </=0.12 microg/ml). Only 77% and 15% of C. glabrata isolates were inhibited by fluconazole at </= 8 microg/ml and itraconazole at </=0.12 microg/ml, respectively. Voriconazole showed a remarkable in vitro potency against C. glabrata as well as C. krusei isolates (100% at </= 1 microg/ml). Anidulafungin was very active against Candida spp isolates (MIC90: </= 0.5 microg/ml), except C. parapsilosis (MIC90: 4 microg/ml) and two C. guilliermondii isolates (MIC: >/= 32 microg/ml).

Anidulafungin↗

Frequency of selection of fluoroquinolone-resistant mutants of Neisseria gonorrhoeae exposed to gemifloxacin and four other quinolones.

We studied the frequency of mutation of clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (two nalidixic acid susceptible and two nalidixic acid resistant), and the stability of the mutants obtained, in the presence of three different concentrations of five fluoroquinolones. The frequency of mutation was low for all the quinolones. Only one N. gonorrhoeae mutant, obtained with trovafloxacin at 4 x MIC presented a stable increase in the MIC of this quinolone, not attributable to novel mutation(s), both in the gyrA and parC genes, although not showing any increase in the MIC of the other quinolones tested. In summary, gemifloxacin was the only quinolone tested for which resistant mutants were not obtained.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Allergy to dermatophagoides in a group of Spanish gypsies: genetic restrictions.

BACKGROUND: Spanish gypsies have traditionally lived as nomads, a reason why few epidemiological studies were done in this ethnic group. However, the high prevalence of asthmatic diseases demonstrated in a population residing in the North of Spain induces us to analyse whether it was due to the influence of genetic loci previously implicated in other population studies as causing the disorders. METHODS: DRB1* and DQB1* HLA class II, TCR-Valpha8.1, FcepsilonRI-beta Rsa I exon 7 and intron 2, TNF-beta (LTalpha-Nco I) and CD14, were tested for association with asthma and atopy by multiple regression analysis, in 5 families comprising 87 individuals. RESULTS: Significant associations were found with DQB1*02 (p = 0.02) and DQB1*0301 (p = 0.008) and elevated levels of total serum IgE. A negative association (p = 0.02) was found between total serum IgE and DRB1*14. FcepsilonRI-beta Rsa I-In2 allele 1 was associated with high levels of total serum IgE (p = 0.04). Levels of Der p 1 IgE antibodies were negatively associated with DRB1*11-DQB1*0301 (p = 0.007), and positively with TCR Valpha-8 allele 1 (p = 0.04) and with FcepsilonRI-beta Rsa I-In2 allele 1 (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not show any association between asthma and the genetic loci studied although they do suggest the existence of multiple genetic influences on the allergic response in these families.

Adult↗

Giant aneurysm of the splenic artery--a case report.

Giant aneurysms of the splenic artery larger than 10 cm are rare. The size of splenic aneurysms rarely exceeds 3 cm. Aneurysms that are often symptomatic because of their size must be treated rapidly before rupture. An etiologic and diagnostic evaluation with computed tomography and selective angiography of the visceral arteries is essential before treatment. Operative indication is imperative for these aneurysms. Their mass with portal compression and dense adhesions to adjacent organs allow only aneurysmal exclusion by proximal and distal ligation with preservation of the spleen. The control of the proximal splenic artery is often difficult, justifying the choice of the surgical access. A case of surgically treated giant splenic artery aneurysm associated with right benign renal lesion is presented with a review of the literature on this subject.

Aged↗

Prenatal diagnosis on fetal cells obtained from maternal peripheral blood: report of 66 cases.

The potential use of fetal cells circulating in maternal blood for a non-invasive prenatal diagnosis has been widely described. Several authors have developed different methods for the enrichment of fetal cells from maternal peripheral blood. The aim of this study was to make a practical valuation of this new prenatal diagnosis technique, using those methods described as efficient and easy to carry out in a prenatal diagnosis unit. These methods consist of the double-density gradient and the positive selection by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) of the fetal erythroblasts, and the posterior study of the cells applying the FISH interphasic technique. Once the technique was ready, we obtained results from the study of 66 venous blood samples from women coming for prenatal diagnosis. Using a specific staining for fetal haemoglobin, fetal cells were identified in 63 cases. Fetal sex was well determined in 56 cases, 23 females and 33 males; in 7 cases the sex determination failed. All the aneuploidies found in a previous prenatal diagnosis were confirmed.

Blood Cells↗

Genetic markers on HIV-1 gp120 C2-V3 region associated with the expression or absence of cognitive motor complex in HIV/AIDS.

In the CNS, HIV-1 causes cognitive motor complex (CMC) in about 30-40% of patients. To explain CMC physiopathology: disequilibrium of cytokine networks, calcium influx, free radicals and toxic effects by HIV-1 have been evoked. Neurotropic mutants have not been unambiguously proven nor 'variants' of HIV-1 with biological properties that could cause CMC. By computerized analysis of gp120 C2-V3 subtype B sequences from retroviral databases, and applying stringent criteria, we found: (i) mutations specific for CMC; (ii) mutations associated with the absence of CMC (N-CMC); (iii) mutations with specificity for the geographical region of origin, and finally (iv) shared mutations representing 'hot spots.' We suggest that the capability to cause or not to cause CMC may be present in the virus prior to infection. In the future, these markers could be used to guide treatments with novel neuroprotective regimes.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Galectin-3 down-regulates IL-5 gene expression on different cell types.

Galectin-3 is an animal lectin, formerly named epsilon-binding protein or Mac-2, which has been described to play an important role in some inflammatory processes by the implication of different cells and the increase in cell adhesion functions through laminin binding activity. In this work we analyzed the role of galectin-3 in the modulation of Th2 cytokines that have an important role in the development of the inflammatory response. We have found that the addition of galectin-3 to human eosinophils, the eosinophilic cell line EoL-3, PBMC, and an Ag-specific T cell line (CD4+) produced a selective inhibition of IL-5 transcription. No inhibitory effect was found on the IL-4 mRNA transcription rate. The inhibitory effect on IL-5 transcription was reversed by incubation with lactose and using specific Ab against galectin-3. Galectin-3 is able to induce inhibition of the IL-5 released in the supernatants from PBMC stimulated with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and anti-CD3. Similar results were obtained when a T-specific cell line was stimulated with Ag. Also, EoL-3 stimulated with anti-CD32 produced IL-5 protein, the synthesis of which was partially inhibited by galectin-3. The present results demonstrate that galectin-3 induces a selective down-regulation of IL-5 expression in different cell types, opening important new possibilities in the regulation of the allergic reactions.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Olive pollen allergy: searching for immunodominant T-cell epitopes on the Ole e 1 molecule.

BACKGROUND: The amino-acid and nucleotide sequence of Ole e 1 (the major antigen of olive pollen) has been described and the IgE antibody response to this major allergen was associated with DR7/DQ2 antigens. With this previous data we try to define the T-cell epitopes implicated in Ole e 1 reactivity. OBJECTIVES: To study the recognition of T cells (derived from allergic and non-allergic Ole e 1 patients) to Ole e 1 synthetic peptides in order to define immunodominant T-cell epitopes. METHODS: We have compared the proliferative response of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Ole e 1 sensitized patients vs. non-sensitized controls, induced by 14 Ole e 1 synthetic peptides. Thirty subjects were classified in two groups: group 1 (non-responders against Ole e 1, n=16) and group 2 (Ole e 1 responders, n=14), according to their clinical parameters and the presence or not in their sera of the significant Ole e 1 IgE antibody levels. RESULTS: Our results shown that it is possible to find T cells reactive to Ole e 1 peptides in patients with and without significant levels of Ole e 1 IgE antibodies. However, the percentage of response was higher in patients with IgE antibodies 71.4% vs 25%), and the recognition profile was different: the control group showed a broad reactivity pattern, in contrast, the response by the 'Ole e 1 responders' group was mainly directed against three peptides of the carboxi-terminal region, peptides 10 (91-102), 12 (109-120) and 13 (119-130), with a response frequency of 35.7, 28.5 and 28.5%, respectively. By direct and inhibition test no antibody response was found against the synthetic peptides. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the regions between 91 and 102 and 109-130 aminoacids on the Ole e 1 molecule are immunodominant T-cell epitopes. These epitopes are not recognized by IgE antibodies.

Adolescent↗

Cytokine mRNA expression in lung tissue from toxic oil syndrome patients: a TH2 immunological mechanism.

In 1981, an epidemic occurred in Spain, toxic oil syndrome (TOS), in people who consumed rapeseed oil denatured with 2% aniline, and it was one of the largest intoxication epidemics ever recorded. In 1989, a similar disease, eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) was reported in the USA and was associated with the ingestion of L-tryptophan. The pathologic findings in TOS showed primary endothelial injury, with cell proliferation and perivascular inflammatory infiltrates. Immunologic mechanisms have presumably been operative in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of TOS. Our previous findings pointed to a T-cell activation during acute phase of the disease. In order to analyze which T-cell subset is involved on TOS, we have developed an mRNA extraction procedure from paraffin-embedded lung tissues in patients with pulmonary involvement. We analyzed mRNA expression from different cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-gamma, GM-CSF) and CD25 (interleukin 2 receptor) and CD23 (low affinity IgE receptor), using RT-PCR technique. In lung tissues from these patients a T-cell activation was observed. We found a significant increase in Th1 (P = 0.006) and Th2 (P = 0.003) cytokine profile in TOS patients with respect to controls. The increment in TH2 response with respect to TH1 is significant (P = 0.03) in TOS lung specimens. Non-significant differences were obtained in other cytokines and receptors studied as IL-1, CD25, CD23 and GM-CSF. Data presented in this paper are the first clear evidence that an immunological mechanism is directly implicated in this illness.

Adolescent↗

Study of apoptosis in human lymphocytes by toxic substances implicated in toxic oil syndrome.

Toxic Oil Syndrome is a multisystemic disease that occurred in epidemic proportions in Spain in 1981 caused by the ingestion of rapeseed oil denatured with aniline. Several data implicate T cells in the pathogenesis of the disease. We evaluated the mechanisms of cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes of TOS-related products: aniline, 3-(N-phenylamino)-1,2-propanediol and its mono- and di-oleyl esters and eosinophilia myalgia-related product such as 3-(phenylamino)-L-alanine, which is chemically similar to 3-(N-phenylamino)-1,2-propanediol, and has been found in manufactured L-tryptophan. Our results show that only di-oleyl ester of 3-(N-phenylamino)-1,2-propanediol induces apoptosis in human lymphocytes, in a concentration and time-dependent way, confirmed by morphology, expression of phosphatidylserine in membrane and analysis of DNA degradation.

Alanine↗

Eosinophils transcribe and translate messenger RNA for inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Because of the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in inflammatory states such as parasitic and hypersensitivity disorders and the fact that eosinophils are one of the cell types implicated, we asked whether eosinophils were able to express mRNA specific to inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and iNOS protein and to secrete nitric oxide. iNOS protein was detected on eosinophil preparations by immunocytochemistry using iNOS mAb. Expression of iNOS protein was also detected by immunoblotting in human purified eosinophils and an eosinophilic leukemia cell line, Eol-3. Nitrite production was detected in the supernatant of human eosinophils and Eol-3 cells cultured for 24 h, and was completely inhibited in the presence of the NOS inhibitor N-methylester-L-arginine. iNOS cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription-PCR. After subcloning, sequencing of the 259-bp fragment from three different human eosinophils cDNAs revealed 97% identity with macrophage/monocyte iNOS. Our studies describe for the first time the presence of iNOS on eosinophil and a putative new role for this cell in inflammatory states such as asthma and parasitic disease.

Animals↗

Autoimmune hepatitis type 2 and hepatitis C virus infection: study of HLA antigens.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Markers for hepatitis C virus are often detectable in patients suffering chronic hepatitis with liver-kidney microsomal type 1 antibodies. Several authors have suggested that two subsets of those patients can be defined: a) hepatitis C virus negative and b) hepatitis C virus positive. The aim of this work was to further analyze the possible genetic association, HLA class I and II, in these two groups of patients. METHODS: HLA was analyzed in 49 patients. Class I was studied using a standard lymphocytotoxicity test and in class II a reverse hybridization-based test for DRB1 typing and PCR-SSO for DQB1 typing were used. Sixty healthy Spanish subjects and 39 chronic hepatitis C subjects without anti-LKM1 antibodies were used as control groups for the "a" and "b" subsets, respectively. RESULTS: No significant association was found with class I specificities in either group. DQB1 typing showed a very significant increase of DQ2 in the "a" group (93.3% vs. 48%; RR = 15; Pc = 0.0025), and DRB1 typing from the "b" group revealed a high association with DR7 (82.3% vs. 43.6%; RR = 6; Pc = 0.0086). CONCLUSIONS: Our studies revealed a strong association with DQ2 for the "a" group and for the first time an extremely high association with DR7 antigen for the "b" subset. Hence it is possible to establish a different genetic profile in these two patient groups.

Adolescent↗

Esophageal inflammatory fibroid polyp. Endoscopic and radiologic features.

We present the case of a 60-year-old male patient, who had several episodes of melena during the last years. One month ago he had a new episode of digestive bleeding, and an endoscopic study was performed that showed at 35 cm from the dental arcade a polypoid, pedunculated lesion, with a diameter of 5 cm and a submucosal aspect, a few erosions on its surface and a fibrin deposit. Its head reached the cardia, and it bled when touched by the endoscope. The biopsies taken were negative. X-ray and CT studies confirmed the existence of a mass compatible with a submucosal lesion. The patient was operated and the tumor was excised. The histologic study showed an inflammatory fibroid polyp, an entity very rarely described at the level of the stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and colon and exceptionally described at the esophageal level.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗